Junk Food Alternatives Pregnancy

Healthy Junk Food Fixes

Many women crave particular foods throughout their pregnancy, and while few have been known to crave broccoli, bananas, or oatmeal, most have visions of ice cream and chocolate – sometimes all at the same time! If your urge for sugar and fat is just too powerful to resist, go ahead and indulge — but just occasionally. Remember to think of your growing baby and all the nutrients that he/she needs to grow and develop into the healthy baby you want.

Four Ways To Control Your Food Cravings

Eat breakfast every day

You’ll be less susceptible to mid-morning snack attacks. A winning combination: A glass of calcium-fortified orange juice, yogurt and fresh fruit, and a whole-wheat bagel or toast with jam.

Exercise regularly

Working out is an excellent way to curb hunger.

Get the emotional support you need

The hormonal roller-coaster of pregnancy can make you more vulnerable to mood swings. You may turn to food when what you really need is someone to talk to, says Elizabeth Somer, author of Nutrition for a Healthy Pregnancy.

Train yourself to think small

Try a few spoonfuls of ice cream rather than a whole bowl or one square of chocolate instead of the entire bar.

Healthy Substitutes For Food Cravings

Instead of This…

…Try This

Ice cream

Nonfat frozen yogurt, sorbet, or sherbet

Can of cola

Mineral water with fruit juice or a squeeze of lime

Doughnut or sweetened pastry

Whole-grain bagel with jam

Slice of cake

Low-fat banana-nut or zucchini bread. If you must have cake, try angel food topped with fresh strawberries.

Sugar cereals

Whole-grain cereal or oatmeal topped with brown sugar

Potato chips

Low-fat chips, microwave popcorn, pretzels

Sour cream

Nonfat sour cream, nonfat plain yogurt

Sundae toppings

Fresh berries or sliced bananas. If you crave crunch, throw on some crispy rice cereal.

Canned fruits in sugar syrup

Fresh fruit, unsweetened frozen fruit

Chocolate

Fat-free hot cocoa made with nonfat milk. Or make some trail mix with raisins, dried fruits, nuts, and just a small handful of chocolate chips

Cookies

Graham crackers. Add a little peanut butter for pizzazz.

Cheesecake or other creamy dessert

Small slices of cheese on whole wheat crackers, low-fat rice or vanilla pudding